A massive extension to the cemetery at St Patrick’s Church in Keady has been proposed.

The Trustees of Keady Parish have lodged plans for the development in the hope of ensuring adequate provision in the town for many years to come.

An area to the rear of the church – described on papers as an “existing car park” – would be used to provide burial plots if approval is given.

It is bordered to the rear by St Francis of Assisi Primary School.

The extension to the cemetery, to the rear of the church on St Patrick’s Street, would stretch to over 7,000 sq metres.

And it would provide for over 1,500 future graves if plans as proposed are accepted.

The application has been made to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for consideration.

As part of the process, neighbours have been notified and the opinions of statutory bodies sought.

There already have been a number of issues which have been raised which will need to be explored in more depth as part of the process.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency has advised that the “development has the potential to impact on water quality, especially groundwater”.

In correspondence to council, it is of the opinion that “additional information is required to assess this risk, including a site investigation, the annual anticipated burial rate and total number of burials”.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs also points to aerial photography records which show “mature trees on the site which have the potential to support a variety of species including but not limited to bats and wild birds”.

These “may be affected by” the plans, council has been informed.

Other agencies have still to respond to the plans which are now being advertised publicly.

Full consideration will be given to all responses and any additional information brought forward before a determination is made.

This was the gruesome image – an all too familiar sight – that greeted residents on a rural Co Armagh road this morning (Tuesday).

The calf carcass was dumped close to the Mountain Lodge Pentecostal Church in Upper Darkley – a hotspot for fly-tipping of all kinds.

It was less than a year ago when the carcass of a deceased horse was dumped in the middle of the road, close to the scene of today’s disgusting act.

Read more: Shameless dumping near beauty spot as home contents and ID left on full view

SDLP councillor Sharon Haughey-Grimley, has hit out at yet another example of flagrant disregard for the countryside and the people living there.

“This is absolutely shameful,” she told Armagh I.

“There are policy and processes in place for dealing with dead animals which all responsible farmers abide by.

“Whoever thinks it’s OK to dump a dead carcass on the roadside should not be allowed to own animals. They have no respect for the local community or environment.

“I urge anyone who may have seen anything to please come forward to help track down those responsible.

“Local people will once again be absolutely horrified by those who continue to abuse our countryside by dumping on the roadside.”

Sinn Fein councillor Darren McNally called the incident disturbing, given the fact the cow’s hind legs were tied together.

“The people who did this wasted no time as the road was only cleared of snow yesterday after I had lobbied to have it cleared.”

He added: “The people who carried out this act have nothing to offer the rural community of Darkley. This area in recent years has been used as a dumping ground by unscrupulous people to dispose of animals, rubbish and diesel pods.

“Council are on site at Darkley Forest trying to deliver a scenic park with beautiful nature walks and it just beggars belief that someone would stoop so low to dump an animal in the dead of night on the road, leaving cars to swerve to avoid it.

“What’s it going to take for this type of disgusting behaviour to stop? I have asked for council to clean this mess.”

Up to 1,200 homes have been left without power in Keady and the wider area this morning (Thursday).

Engineers are working on fixing the problem following reports of equipment failure shortly before 11am.

It is expected to take a number of hours to fix with Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) estimating 2pm for power to be restored.

There are no further details at this stage.

For all the latest Keady news click here. Follow us on Twitter @ArmaghI and Instagram @armaghi2012

Read more: Anger as family-run coffee shop broken into overnight

A former primary school in Co Armagh could be demolished – and replaced with an engineering factory as part of a major investment.

The old Keady Primary School site on the Crossmore Road could be given a new lease of life.

The school closed in 2012, at the same time as Aghavilly Primary School, due to falling enrolment figures.

It has remained vacant since that time.

But the Education Authority confirmed late last year that the site had been sold, for a figure in excess of £460,000.

Now a local manufacturing company looks poised to submit an application for a new development at the old school base.

SFM Engineering, described as a metal fabrication sub-contractor to the manufacturing industry, has its base on the Tassagh Road, Keady.

The company was established in 2006 and has continued to invest on site.

Now it is looking to the possibility of constructing a new purpose-built engineering factory on the Crossmore Road.

A pre-application event, giving the public the chance to see what is envisaged, is due to take place in Keady on Tuesday, March 27.

It will be held at the Tommy Makem Community and Arts Centre, between 2pm and 8pm.

Following on from that, it is expected that a planning application will be submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for consideration.

As well as the demolition of the former primary school and construction of the new factory, such a proposal would also incorporate associated site works and improved access to the site.

Keady Primary School – a parish school of the Church of Ireland – had a history in the town spanning back to 1867.

It relocated to its last used site at Crossmore Road in 1970, after an approved amalgamation of a number of local primary schools.

The final bell rang in August 2012, when the school closed, enrolment that year being just 17.

If this proposal does come forward now – and gets the green light fom council – the development would represent a significant investment in the Keady area and provide a future use of a prominent local site which has been vacant for almost six years.

New walking trails currently being laid as part of a project costing over £300,000 at Darkley Forest have been damaged by quad bikes and horses.

Work began on site earlier this year and should be finished by April.

But the damage made by quad bikes and horses has caused issues for the contractors.

Lord Mayor Gareth Wilson expressed his dismay and asked horse and quad bike owners to leave the facilities as they are.

“It is extremely disappointing to see the damage that has been caused to these walking trails before they are even completed,” he said.

“So I would like to take this opportunity to urge those who have been using their quads or bringing their horses along the trails to please stop.

“These trails will be for walkers and runners only – as requested by the community when we undertook extensive consultation – and they will be a real asset to the people within the area.

“This is such a beautiful place and we hope that we can ensure that these trails are used properly for the enjoyment of the local community.”

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is leading the project.

In partnership with Outdoor Recreation NI, it secured funding through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and Sport NI to build a 4.6km walking trail within the forest.

A Bulgarian national who has been disqualified from driving claims that the person who sold him a car with no MOT and three defective tyres told him it was roadworthy.

Neshko Marinov, 34, of Fairgreen Park, Keady, appeared at Armagh Magistrates’ on Tuesday charged with driving without insurance, a car with no valid MOT and three defective tyres.

The incident occurred at around 10.55 am on October 26, last year, when police, during routine checks, stopped a Volkswagen Golf driven by the defendant on Victoria Street, Keady.

Police found that the MOT on the car had expired on July 8 and that the car was uninsured.

They then noted that three of the tyres on the vehicle were defective.

Court heard that Marinov told police in an interview that the seller of the car had told him it was fine to drive but he accepted his responsibility in not insuring himself on the car.

The defendant, who represented himself in court, told District Judge Paul Copeland, through an interpreter, that he has lived in this country for three years and was responsible for three children.

Judge Copeland banned Marinov from driving for six months.

The defendant was also ordered to pay a fine of £375, along with the £15 offender’s levy, within 12 weeks.

Damage caused to new forest trails at Darkley will mean the completion will now take longer than first thought.

It is not known for how long the scheme – which was due to be completed next month – will be delayed.

But there have been further calls for people to desist from any activity which would cause harm to the new development at Darkley Forest Park.

Deep rut marks can be seen in the mud as the trails are being laid.

And quad bikes and horse riders are being blamed for the damage.

SDLP Councillor Sharon Haughey-Grimley has urged those with quad bikes and horses using the trails to “stop as it’s ruining the surface”.

“We’ve made great progress on the new 4.6km walking trails in Darkley Forest,” she said.

“It was due to be completed for April but unfortunately people with quad bikes and horses have already damaged the surface and has set the project back.

“This £300,000 project will regenerate the Darkley Forest into a recreation space for the people of Darkley and surrounding areas, providing an extensive walking trail in the great outdoors.

“The trail is for walkers and runners only. I would urge anyone who has used this facility with quads or horses to stop as you will ruin the surface.

“This is a community facility to be enjoyed by all. It has taken considerable time to design and source funding and we hope that the trails will be there for many years to come.

“This is something the people of Darkley should be proud of and I would ask everyone to respect this new community recreation provision.”

A Co Armagh man has been charged with stealing a breakdown recovery van in England.

The alleged incident happened in the town of Aveley in West London.

It was stolen in Sandy Lane at about 9.30pm on Saturday, March 17, while the driver was attending a call-out.

A 44-year-old man from Co Armagh was arrested in Aveley Road, Upminster, and subsequently charged with taking a vehicle without consent, three counts of assaulting a police officer with intent to resist arrest and drink-driving.

The 44-year-old with an address in Caramoyle, Keady is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court today, Monday, March 19.

For all the latest news updates, follow Armagh I on Twitter at @armaghi

Darkley Primary School has scored major success after being awarded third place in the prestigious Cumann na mBunscol Cornmarket National Awards.

The entry was in the largest category of submissions ‘Promotion of Gaelic Games and Culture – Schools’ and was evaluated by a judging panel in Croke Park before making the final shortlist of nominations.

The award ceremony took place in Kilkenny recently and Principal Mr Martin Meehan and P3/4 teacher Miss Colette Conlon attended as school representatives.

The school were awarded third place on the night and are thrilled with this astonishing achievement.

Mr Meehan said: “To receive an award at this level when competing against schools throughout Ireland is a remarkable achievement.

“It is a true reflection of the hard work and commitment of all our staff.

“Furthermore, we are extremely grateful to all the coaches from the Ulster Council, Armagh County Board and Keady Michael Dwyers GFC who work tirelessly hard to develop and refine our children’s sporting skills.”

The award is also a reflection of the vibrant music and language initiatives that take place within the school.

Mr Meehan added: “Languages and the Arts are something I am very passionate about and I feel it is imperative that children are given the opportunity to express themselves creatively whilst breaking down boundaries through language initiatives.

“We are very grateful to Mrs Marian Corvin, Keady Arts and Heritage Society and Fast Trad for their support in these areas throughout the year.”

It’s close to half a foot deep and stretches almost the entire width of the road.

And one road user who contacted us is sick, sore and tired of the endless damage being caused to her own – and neighbours’ – vehicles as a result.

This is the pothole which has practically eated up up the Carrickaduff Road at Carnagh, Keady.

The recent weather has done nothing to help as the gaping chasm continues to grow and grow.

The motorist who brought it to our attention branded it a “an absolute disgrace”.

She told Armagh I : “I’ve had flat wheels and cracked alloys as a result of this pothole costing £25 each time to get fixed.

“Neighbours have had to be pulled out of the ditch trying to avoid the pothole!

“The entire neighbourhood is angry and frustrated as nothing is being done.

“The main Keady/Castleblayney Road is very bad – some of the potholes have been filled but not filled properly.

“This is a health and safety issue for drivers on the road. Action is needed as soon as possible.”

Local Sinn Fein Councillor Darren McNally has said he will raised this particular pothole with Roads Service as a matter of urgency.

“There’s no excuse for them to let the road get so bad,” he insisted.

An ATM was ripped out of the wall at a Co Armagh supermarket overnight.

The cash point at Rice’s supermarket in Keady was pulled entirely from the main building, leaving a gaping hole, which was discovered by staff first thing.

Police have cordoned off the scene this morning following the incident, which is believed to have happened during the small hours of this morning (Wednesday).

A yellow forklift, understood to belong to the supermarket, was left abandoned just yards from the rubble left behind following the attack.

Sinn Fein councillor Darren McNally expressed his anger at yet another ATM raid in the town.

“I would describe last night’s actions as an attack on the whole community,” he told Armagh I.

“There appears to have been a degree of sophisticated planning and organisation in carrying out this attack.

“These criminals have no respect for the local community, the people of Keady are extremely angry and I share their anger.

“I would also urge anyone who has information on last night’s attack to come forward.”

The same ATM was targeted back in June 2014. On that occasion, a gas explosion was used to open up the front of the machine before the money was stolen.

Detectives are appealing for information after an ATM crudely removed from a supermarket wall in Co Armagh the early hours of this morning (Wednesday).

An investigation has been launched following the burglary at Rice’s supermarket on Victoria Street in Keady.

Shortly before 2am thieves used a Forklift to remove an ATM machine from the building before removing the cash from inside the machine.

Considerable damage was caused to the wall of the building during the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone who has any information that can assist with the investigation is asked to contact Detectives in Lurgan on 101, quoting reference 176 21/03/18.

Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime

Sinn Fein councillor Darren McNally expressed his anger at yet another ATM raid in the town.

“I would describe last night’s actions as an attack on the whole community,” he told Armagh I.

“There appears to have been a degree of sophisticated planning and organisation in carrying out this attack.

“These criminals have no respect for the local community, the people of Keady are extremely angry and I share their anger.

“I would also urge anyone who has information on last night’s attack to come forward.”

The same ATM was targeted back in June 2014. On that occasion, a gas explosion was used to open up the front of the machine before the money was stolen.

A Keady man has been banned from driving for three months after taking his brother’s car without his consent.

Daniel McBennett, 32, of Lir Gardens, pleaded guilty to taking a car without the owner’s consent, insurance or MOT certificate at Armagh Magistrates’ on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on December 29, last year, police stopped a Volkswagen Passat on the Armagh Road, Keady, after it was flagged as having no insurance.

It was then discovered that the defendant who was driving did not own the car and that it did not have a valid MOT.

Defence counsel explained that the defendant’s brother had come to visit him in Keady and had been drinking.

They went on to say McBennett’s brother decided to walk into to town to purchase more alcohol, and while he was away the defendant needed to go into town and “foolishly” decided to take his brother’s car.

Court heard that McBennett had a clean record, and was a father-of-two turkey factory worker, originally from Monaghan.

District Judge Paul Copeland disqualified the defendant from driving for three months.

McBennett was also ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15.

A Keady woman has been handed a suspended prison sentence after stealing a perfume and toothpaste from a chemist.

The 37-year-old, of Granemore Park, appeared at Armagh Magistrates’ on Tuesday charged with theft.

On May 20, last year, police were called to Partridge Chemist on Davis Street, Keady, where staff told officers that the defendant, the previous day had stolen toothpaste and perfume to the value of £37.24 from the premise.

CCTV footage showed the woman take the perfume from its packaging and put the toothpaste up her sleeve.

Court heard the defendant collected her prescription before leaving the chemist.

Defence counsel stated that when interviewed she made a full admission, adding that the defendant suffered from depression.

The court heard that the woman’s husband paid £40 to cover the costs of the stolen items and told the chemist to give the change to charity.

A medical note handed to Deputy District Judge Peter King by the defence showed the defendant’s history of mental illness.

The defence also told the court that the 37-year-old had been sectioned under the mental health act on several occasions.

Judge King noted the defendant’s record, stating another suspended sentence was needed.

He sentenced her to one month in prison, suspended for three months.

He warned the woman that “a series of shoplifting offences will end in a custodial sentence”.

A Tassagh man has been given a suspended prison sentence after he was convicted of a catalogue of charges including causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

Wesley Withers, from Corkley Road, was previously convicted at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on January 19, 2018 of five charges of breaching a disqualification order, three charges of failing to ensure the needs of animals were met to the extent required by good practice and one charge of failing to dispose of livestock carcasses.

He was also convicted of one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to two pigs and a turkey.

A total prison term of 10 months, suspended for three years, was imposed.

Withers received four and six month suspended prison sentences in respect of 10 charges, to run consecutively.

He was also ordered to pay £46 in costs.

The case arose from a complaint by a member of the public that Withers was keeping livestock in breach of a previous life-time disqualification.

He also received a lifetime disqualification from keeping all animals when he came back before the courts today (Thursday).

A man has been given a suspended sentence after explaining he had a large amount of cannabis as he was a “heavy smoker” and it was “cheaper to buy in bulk”.

Povilas Kisielis, 26, of St Matthew’s Estate, Keady, appeared at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with two counts of possession of Class B.

The incident occurred on July 28, last year, at around 6.30pm when police spotted three males leaving an address on the Glen Road in Keady.

Police stopped the car and noted a strong smell of cannabis.

When searched the defendant, one of the three males, was found to have in his possession approximately 10g of cannabis.

A search was conducted by officers of the Glen Road address they found a number of other drug paraphernalia and more cannabis.

When they searched the bedroom of Kisielis, police found a packet of crystals which they believed to be Class A at the time.

This was later tested and found to be a Class B drug – chloroethcasthinone.

In interview, the defendant accepted possession charges but denied ever having the intent to sell the drugs.

He told police that he was a “heavy smoker” and that it was “cheaper to buy in bulk”.

Defence counsel told court Kisielis had no record with regard to drugs offences.

They added that the defendant has lived in Northern Ireland for two years and had been a welder until shortly after this offence.

Court heard that Kisielis did have a job opportunity and is due to gain employment in mid-April.

Deputy District Judge Peter King sentenced the defendant to two months in prison but suspended it for 12 months.

Stalemate has ensued over the removal of a tree which has been left hanging precariously over a Co Armagh housing estate.

The tree in Annvale Green in Keady has been swaying in a state of flux for more than a month.

The problem was initially reported four weeks ago and again last week to both the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, as well as the Department of Infrastructure (DfI), however, neither seems to know whose responsibility it is to remove the tree, according to residents.

The fear of those residents is that should the branch fall, it poses an extreme danger to property and life as many children play in amongst the trees.

Sinn Féin councillor Darren McNally has reported the issue to the council and the Department of Infrastructure, while local Sinn Féin activists have themselves cordoned off the area and advised residents to keep their children away from the branch.

Resident Willie Monaghan has spoken to both the council and DfI, who have visited the area twice.

He said: “DfI staff looked at the branch and said that it should be removed immediately but when he passed it on the message back is that it is a council matter.

“I then rang the council and they palmed me off saying it was a matter for DfI. DfI say that it is council’s concern as they maintain the grass area upon which the trees are planted. The passing of the buck continues.”

Annvale Green was once looked after by a management committee that collected a fee from each household on an annual basis.

Mr Monaghan says this practice stopped many years ago when DfI adopted the road and street lighting and the local council maintain the area around the trees.

He added: “All I know is that if this branch falls and damages property, or even worse, causes injury or death to a child, the full force of the law and media will be directed to those individuals, and the departments that they represent, for neglecting their duty to the residents of Annvale Green.”

Two Co Armagh men are taking on a 500-mile pilgrimage in aid of two separate charities very close to their hearts.

Joe McGleenan from Granemore and friend Vincent O’Connor from Keady are challenging themselves to complete the Camino Trail in Spain this month.

Joe, will be doing his walk to raise funds for the Children’s Heartbeat Trust, while Vincent will complete his for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), in memory of his late son, Stephen.

In 2006, Joe was blessed with a beautiful granddaughter, Ellie. However, the little new-born was found to have only one half of her heart functioning, along with a number of other defects.

But, now aged 11, and a number of open-heart surgeries later – plus a lot of support from all those in Clark Clinic in Belfast – she is doing great!

Joe is now raising some much-needed funds for the Children’s Heartbeat Trust to help other families going through the same journey.

Children’s Heartbeat Trust is a local charity supporting families of children with heart disease in Northern Ireland.

They work closely with Clark Clinic at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children to ensure that children with heart disease and their families receive the best care, treatment and support possible.We are solely funded by the generosity of the public to maintain our services of support and are grateful for every donation received.

For more info on our work please visit www.childrensheartbeattrust.org.

Vincent, is raising funds for the CRY in memory of his son Stephen who passed away in December 2012.

Stephen had travelled home to Ireland with his girlfriend Michelle to enjoy the Christmas with his family.

However, while out on a shopping trip Stephen suddenly collapse and passed away a short time later. His death was attributed to Adult Sudden Death Syndrome.

To help Vincent and his fundraising, visit https://www.gofundme.com/the-camino-trail

4Some of the worst potholes in Co Armagh have not been touched months after they have been reported, it has been claimed.

Potholes more than four inches deep reported in the lead-up to Christmas – four months ago – have been ignored, and in many places, become a huge concern for motorists.

“In recent weeks some ‘large patching’ in some areas has started, but that’s nowhere near good enough,” slammed SDLP councillor Thomas O’Hanlon.

“Patching some areas on some roads and leaving other potholes is just ridiculous.”

He added: “Elected representatives’ requests are politely noted and we’re told ‘we’ll see what we can do’ or ‘we’ll get that looked at.

“On an almost daily basis in recent months I have been passing through road after road to the team in the Section Office’ I think the admin team in there are sick listening to me at this stage.

“Whilst the odd pothole here or there gets repaired the vast majority go untouched. It used to be at least they got marked with yellow paint, but now that doesn’t even happen. They’ve run out of money, run out of tar and now run out of yellow paint.”

Councillor O’Hanlon has passed through complaints about the Clay, Drumgreenagh, Carrickaduff, Tievenamara, Castleblaney, Darkley, Upper Darkley, Drumnahavil and Doohat Roads before Christmas.

“Potholes were more than four inches deep,” he said. “They have been noted as defects but they have gone untouched.

“Some other potholes have been repaired but it’s too inconsistent and not acceptable. They’ve no money and nothing is being done.

“Meanwhile the roads deteriorate, more cars get damaged and claims for damages rocket. We need repairs and need contractors brought in to sort out this mess, the amount of work that needs done is now beyond a joke.”

He concluded: “What’s even more concerning is that someone is going to get killed as motorists are swerving to avoid potholes and often swerve into oncoming traffic.”

Around 25-30 cattle were stolen from a farm on the outskirts of Keady earlier this week.

Police are appealing for information following the theft from the Crossnenagh Road area, close to Derrynoose.

It is understood the incident happened overnight on Tuesday.

This is the latest incident in this area, which has been blighted by thefts in recent years.

Only last September a farm was targeted by criminals who stole a range of items, including a Massey Ferguson Tractor.

There were two other thefts in the area in August and October 2014.

The removal of 30 cattle would have involved a large livestock trailer and a degree of organisation.

Sinn Fein councillor Darren McNally said: “There have been a number of criminal gangs involved in this activity in recent years but recent successes on both sides of the border by Garda/PSNI had put a dent in their operations.

“However, this incident shows that the rural community can never become complacent and need to be on constant alert for strange movements of cattle trailers or equipment in the middle of the night, these criminals don’t care whose livelihood they destroy.”

If you have any information which might help police with the inquiries please contact 101.